Among the items philanthropist and National Trust ACT life member John Gale has collected throughout his life is a sterling silver tea caddy so old and rare it could fetch more than $2000 under the hammer.
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The rarity of silver and porcelain dating back to the 1700s and 1800s will be enough to lure the most curious of collectors to the eminent Canberran's beloved pastoral homestead, Huntly, where the property's contents will be sold at auction on Sunday.
But for those who attended the many charity events and operatic performances held at the picturesque, heritage-listed property over the years, it's the memories that are priceless.
Today, Gale - not to be confused with Queanbeyan newspaper publisher John Gale - has moved into a nursing home and a board of trustees continues to manage Huntly.
Auctioneer house Leonard Joel has worked with Gale's family since October to sift and catalogue the property's eclectic belongings ready for auction.
Jewels, objects d'art and single owner collections specialist Robert Williams said the items included "everything from inherited 18th-century silver right through to a small collection of modern design from the 1970s".
He said one of his "personal favourites" was a pair of English, silver neo-classical tazzas.
"They're just very opulent and grand and quite indicative of high Victoriana," he said.
"Another piece from his collection is a beautiful silver tea caddy which is very unusual because it's double-lidded.
"He obviously went for the rare and unusual when he collected."
While rarity will capture the attention of many, the sentimentality of a number items has also sparked interest.
One such item is a Steinway baby grand piano, circa 1914, which was sometimes used during operatic performances hosted by Gale, a former Opera Australia board member.
Another is an Indian horse, affectionately named "donkey" - one of many collectables paying homage to Gale's love for animals.
When the devastating 2003 bushfires swept through Huntly, luckily, the homestead was saved but many cattle and donkeys perished.
"The emotive things for people are things like the dinner gong - it's not a high value piece but it just reminds people of being here and remembering John ringing the gong at dinnertime," Mr Williams said. "That's had a lot of interest.
"[The auction] is an opportunity for people to remember the times they've been here and been with John. It's almost like a final goodbye. A bit of closure, I suppose. It's been very touching."
Huntly's contents will be auctioned from 10am on Sunday, February 7, at 770 Uriarra Road, Stromlo.
